Originally posted by BullittYou were more likely to see a 7-6 game than the ultra-exciting 1-1 games we get today. You were more likely to see Gretzky put up 212 points in a year as opposed to Iginla's league-leading 96.

I don't get the arguments that claim "more scoring is more exciting". Was baseball more exciting in 2001 when Barry Bonds led the NL with 73 homers than it was in 1989 when Fred McGriff led the AL with 36 or 1909 when Ty Cobb led the AL with 9? I don't think so. A well played, close game will remain exciting regardless of the score.

What kind of disjointed society do we live in if Merry Christmas is Politically Incorrect?

Originally posted by BullittYou were more likely to see a 7-6 game than the ultra-exciting 1-1 games we get today. You were more likely to see Gretzky put up 212 points in a year as opposed to Iginla's league-leading 96.

I don't get the arguments that claim "more scoring is more exciting". Was baseball more exciting in 2001 when Barry Bonds led the NL with 73 homers than it was in 1989 when Fred McGriff led the AL with 36 or 1909 when Ty Cobb led the AL with 9? I don't think so. A well played, close game will remain exciting regardless of the score.

Since we are off topic anyway, for an exciting baseball game, I'll take Pedro facing Maddux any day over #5 pitcher for the White Sox facing #4 pitcher for the Royals. When each run is valuable, it brings a greater intensity to the game. Now, I'm not saying bring back 1968 where Yaz won the batting title in the AL with a .300 avg. but overall a well pitched game provides a better flow, and also eliminate an hours worth of walks to the mound/pitching changes.

I'm so busted While it's true that from 76-90 only four different teams won the Stanley Cup, I submit that the brand of hockey being played was a ton more exciting than what we've seen from the NHL since (although I believe this year has been much better).

I also don't buy the more scoring necessarily equals more excitement theory. If that were the case, pro basketball would be the most popular sport in the world and pro soccer would be scrambling for fans.

I do maintain that the average game from 76-90 was more exciting than the average game from 91-present. It's not so much the scoring as the style of play -- there was no trap back then (well, there was, and Montreal played it, but they also knew how to turn on the wheels and bust a game wide open). Current defensive hockey styles simply don't allow for the kind of game that used to be played.

Getting back to the original topic with respect to the NFL, I've found the games this year to be a joy to watch. There's enough different offensive and defensive schemes in the league to make for compelling football in almost any matchup. Nobody is winning consistently with one offensive system or defensive system. Much depends on personnel, injuries, and in-the-moment decisions. To me, that's what sports is about: competition between (reasonably) equally-talented sides. Whether it's a defensive struggle or an offensive one, if you can see the effort, see the ingenuity and creativity, and get carried along in the game no matter who's playing, then you've got yourself a sport worth watching.

Originally posted by tarnishCurrent defensive hockey styles simply don't allow for the kind of game that used to be played

This was the main point of my earlier post.

Everyone has their own preference as to what they consider "exciting." Grimis and redsoxnation seem to prefer the "pitching duel;" I'd rather see excitement coming from offense.

As for the NFL, we can throw out words like "parity" and "salary cap" all day. It IS exciting not knowing who is going to win on a week-to-week basis. Give me that Miami-Denver Sunday nighter from back in October every week and I'd be screaming for more.

Just as long as the Dolphins get home-field advantage for the playoffs... :)

Originally posted by tarnishCurrent defensive hockey styles simply don't allow for the kind of game that used to be played

This was the main point of my earlier post.

Everyone has their own preference as to what they consider "exciting." Grimis and redsoxnation seem to prefer the "pitching duel;" I'd rather see excitement coming from offense.

As for the NFL, we can throw out words like "parity" and "salary cap" all day. It IS exciting not knowing who is going to win on a week-to-week basis. Give me that Miami-Denver Sunday nighter from back in October every week and I'd be screaming for more.

Just as long as the Dolphins get home-field advantage for the playoffs... :)

i don't care if it's a 49-0 blowout or a 3-0 OT win in a battle of field position, i love this game and it's never been more exciting and i love it when it's close down to the wire like this...

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